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Free or Low Cost Medications for Anxiety

By Eileen Bailey

Over 45 million people in the United States have no health insurance to help cover the costs of prescription medication. Treatment for anxiety often includes doctor’s visits, medication and sometimes counseling or treatment by a psychologist or psychiatrist. For those that do not have medical and prescription insurance, this treatment can be costly. Some people may have to go without medication because it is simply not affordable.

Pharmaceutical companies offer assistance programs for people that cannot afford their medication. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps provide information on over 475 public and private assistance programs. When using the site, you first complete a short questionnaire, when completed you will be given a list of programs that you may qualify for. If you prefer, you can contact them by phone at 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-800-477-2669). This site does not provide the medication; it provides you with access to the different programs. You will need to apply to the program that fits your situation.

Depending on the program and the pharmaceutical company, medication might be sent to your home once a month or sent to your doctor’s office to be picked up. Some medications are provided free to people that need assistance while other medication may require a small co-payment.

The eligibility requirements for each program may also be different. Most of the requirements will be based on your household size, income level and whether or not you have prescription insurance. Income requirements are often 200% of the current federal poverty level. At this time, that would be approximately $19,000 for a single person and $32,000 for a family of three.

Although the Partnership for Prescription Assistance is the easiest way to find assistance programs, you can also contact the pharmaceutical company that manufactures your medication directly. Most will send you an application that you can complete and mail back. It will most probably have a section that you will need to have your physician complete.